Hundreds of Coloradans turned out for rallies in Golden and Basalt Thursday, where GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney outlined a new five-point economic plan. As CPR’s Anna Panoka reports, Romney promised to create 12 million jobs if he becomes president.
Here is a transcript of the report.
Reporter Anna Panoka: The line to get into the Jefferson County Fairgrounds exhibition hall was long. Janet Kaufman of Castle Rock was one of hundreds hoping to get inside. She voted for President Obama in 2008, but has changed her mind.
Janet Kaufman: I don’t like the way Obama’s run the country. I think his fiscal policy has been abysmal, I don’t like his foreign policy agenda, I think Mitt Romney is the right man for the job.
Reporter: And that’s something Romney touted inside, holding up a piece of paper in front of the crowd of about 500 that he called a “report card” comparing President Obama’s record on job growth to his own time as Massachusetts governor.
Mitt Romney: Unemployment rate, I brought the unemployment rate down from 5.6 to 4.7. The home prices, home prices went up. Budget deficit, I came in, there was almost a 3 billion dollar budget gap, I closed it without raising taxes.
Reporter: Romney said his five-point plan for a stronger middle class includes improving education, boosting trade with Latin American countries, reducing taxes on small businesses and cutting federal spending. He also promised as president, he would help North America become energy independent in eight years’ time.
Romney: One of the things we’re going to do is really open up federal lands and private lands for drilling: oil, gas…
Reporter: Although the National Renewable Energy Laboratory was close by, Romney didn’t say much about solar or wind power. Democrats like U.S. Senator Mark Udall of Colorado are trying to pass an extension of a tax credit for wind energy production. Romney opposes the credit. President Obama’s campaign says Romney’s economic plan would increase taxes on middle class families.
There were some protesters outside the Golden event. One group of gun control advocates urged political leaders to come up with a plan to address gun violence.
Read more about Mitt Romney's and Barack Obama's economic plans.
